Is the Orange County housing juice worth the squeeze?

Today’s post is a continuation of last week’s post (median selling price of homes in Irvine). Up today are the stats for the number of homes that have sold in Irvine. Unless otherwise noted, the source for the following numbers is DQNew.

Note that the graph, provided by Redfin, is of the number of homes that are on the market in Irvine, not the number of homes that have sold in Irvine.

Up today is an update of the median price that homes in Irvine have sold for. This includes all the Irvine neighborhoods (or villages as they are called in Irvine): Northpark, West Irvine, Northwood, Portola Springs, Woodbury, El Camino, Walnut, Columbus Grove, University Park, University Town Center, Orange Tree, Oak Creek, Westpark, the IBC (airport area), San Joaquin, Shady Canyon, Turtle Ridge, Turtle Rock and Quail Hill.

Irvine Median Sold Price/SF-Condos

Unless otherwise noted, the source for the following numbers is DQNew.

Up today is an update of the Irvine housing numbers. This includes all the Irvine neighborhoods (or villages as they are called in Irvine): Northpark, West Irvine, Northwood, Portola Springs, Woodbury, El Camino, Walnut, Columbus Grove, University Park, University Town Center, Orange Tree, Oak Creek, Westpark, the IBC (airport area), San Joaquin, Shady Canyon, Turtle Ridge, Turtle Rock and Quail Hill.

Up today are the Irvine housing numbers. This includes all the Irvine neighborhoods (or villages as they are called in Irvine): Northpark, West Irvine, Northwood, Portola Springs, Woodbury, El Camino, Walnut, Columbus Grove, University Park, University Town Center, Orange Tree, Oak Creek, Westpark, the IBC (airport area), San Joaquin, Shady Canyon, Turtle Ridge, Turtle Rock and Quail Hill neighborhoods.

Recently, I posted the DataQuick’s March 2010 median selling price and number of sales for each of Irvine’s ZIP codes. Following is the January 2010 price per square foot, courtesy Redfn, for Irvine’s 92602 ZIP.

I provided the price per square numbers for Irvine houses and condos in this ZIP, as well as the combined number (houses plus condos). Two examples of housing in this ZIP are 118 Confederation Way in West Irvine and 91 Talmadge in Northpark.

I will provide Irvine’s other ZIP code price per square foot information in upcoming posts.

Note: Graphs are courtesy of Redfin Corporation. They are as follows: sold price per square foot for houses, sold price per square foot for condos, and the number of homes on the market in the 92602 ZIP.

In yesterday’s post, I compared two similarly priced homes in Irvine’s 92602 ZIP code. If you are interested in buying a home in this area (or just curious), here is a look at some recent housing statistics for this ZIP that might help.

As reported by Redfin, the housing numbers for Irvine’s 92602ZIP code, which includes Irvine’s Northpark and West Irvine neighborhoods, were as follows in July 2009. The graphs, courtesy Redfin, are in descending order: 92602 inventory, 92602 detached house price per square foot, 92602 condo price per square foot.

Homes on market (inventory)

detached house–56

condos–72

Median price per square foot

detached house
list–$346/SF
sold–n/a

condo
list–$318/SF
sold–n/a

Price reductions*:

Percentage of home with price reductionsDetached house–38.9%
Condo–33.3%

Total percent of the reduction
Detached house–5.7%
Condo–3.6%

Median days on Redfin*

Detached house: 68

Condo: 48

Also note that the Redfin’s overall list price for the 92602 ZIP in July 2009 was $595,000, and the May 2009 sold price was $628,000. In addition, 25 homes in this ZIP sold in May 2009.

*Based on homes sold or taken off the market between June 3, 2009 and September 1, 2009

Following is a comparison of two similarly priced homes in Irvine’s 92602 ZIP.

At 30 Avalon, Irvine, CA 92602 is a detached Northpark condo built in 2002 with 3 beds/2.5 baths and 1601 square feet. Homeowners association fee is a reasonable $128 per month and includes access to a pool, spa, barbecue, and sports court. As with all HOA, there are rule. And although I don’t know exactly what they are, apparently rules about pets are one of these. The asking price is $648,900 ($405 per square foot).

Considering that another detached condo with 1750 square feet in West Irvine (82 Sorenson, Irvine, CA 92602) is listed for approximately the same price and currently accepting backup offers, this seems high. The Sorenson home, which was built in 2001, has 4 bedrooms/3 baths, and the asking price is $650,000 ($371/SF). HOA fees are $100 and $50 per month.

I like the exterior look of the Northpark home; however, the MLS pictures show a lack of light in some rooms (either this or just poor pictures). And then there is the fact that the size is smaller than the West Irvine home. The Northpark home has only been listed for one day, so it will be interesting to see what happens with this home. The West Irvine home is also worth watching. Even if a home is listed as accepting backup offers, it does not mean that a sale is pending.

I’ll check back on both of these homes to see what the final outcome is.